Kate Winslet is seen as an ideal patron for the charity

Ms Winslet visited the charity last year and said she was impressed with its work helping vulnerable families.

"I am happy to support a local charity and to see so many families benefiting from the charity's commitment and involvement," she said.

"We are thrilled to have our work recognised and endorsed by such a famous local mum," said a spokeswoman.

"The Family Haven is about changing lives and providing the best possible opportunities for children and parents, which is one of the things Kate loved about the charity," said Claire McGrath, from the charity.

One of the mothers who attends the Family Haven said: "It's great to see this famous actress as a normal person, a real mum with the same concerns about children as the rest of us."

The charity provides such services as a fully-registered nursery, laundry, healthy meals, counselling and parenting classes.